This study analyzed mental toughness and sport imagery variables among football players in South India. 40 male football players from Kerala and Karnataka teams were surveyed using the Sports Mental Toughness Inventory and Sport Imagery Ability Questionnaire. The results found that mastery ability had the highest mean for sport imagery, while motivation had the highest mean for mental toughness. Factor analysis showed goal imagery and affect imagery loaded heavily for sport imagery, while rebound ability and handling pressure loaded highly for mental toughness. The study provides insight into psychological factors that contribute to success for South Indian football players.

1. STUDY ON MENTALTOUGHNESS
AND IMAGERY AMONG
FOOTBALL PLAYERS
Saleej KT
* Research Scholar, Department of Physical Education
University of Calicut

2. Abstract
The purpose of the study was to analyze the mental
toughness variables and sport imagery variables among
santhosh trophy players of south India. For the purpose of
the study a total of 40 male football players are selected
from two states namely Kerala and Karnataka football
team, 20 players each from Kerala and Karnataka The
Mental Toughness of the subjects was measured using the
Sports Mental Toughness Inventory developed by Goldberg
(2012) and to measure imagery ability of the subjects the
Sport Imagery Ability Questionnaire (SIAQ) developed by
Williams and Cumming (2014).
Key Words: Mental Toughness, Mental Imagery and
Factor analysis

3. Introduction
The psychological requirement football players include the
sense of space and time, a good sight and motion, motivation,
visualization, tough-mindedness etc. Today, mental skills
training have become as much a part of athletic success as
strength, power, and endurance training. This is thanks to the
mindfulness movement and the popularity of meditation,
yoga, and visualization practice in mainstream media.
Research on the benefits of mindfulness meditation on
resilience and stress management have carried over to the
field of sports psychology. And many athletes continue to
benefit from adding mental skills training to their fitness
training routine.

4. MATERIALS AND METHODS
The selection of subjects, collection of data, selection of the
test, the procedure of administration of the tests, and the
statistical techniques used are presented in this part.
SELECTION OF SUBJECTS
To achieve the above purpose of the study the subjects were
selected from south Indian Santosh Trophy teams.
A total study of 40 Santosh Trophy players were selected from
Kerala and Karnataka for the study and the age of the subjects
ranged from 17-28 years.

5. SELECTION OF TEST ITEMS
The first section was demographic information sheet consisting of several
questions describing the sample’s mental toughness and sports imagery in
sports.
SELECTION OF VARIABLES
Sports imagery ability
Skill imagery ability
Strategy imagery ability
Goal imagery ability
Affect imagery ability
Mastery imagery ability
Mental toughness
Rebound ability
Ability to handle pressure
Concentration ability
Level of confidence
Motivation

6. Administration of the Questionnaire
Psychological variables among different level of football
players have been selected foe collection of data, in total 40
football players those who have selected in Santosh Trophy
team for Kerala and Karnataka. Research Scholar has
personally visited to all the players for collection of data 40
complete questionnaire has been consider for the present
study. All above work has been executed with the consultation
of the supervisor.

7. COLLECTION OF DATA
The data for the purpose of the study will be collected from
Two Santosh Trophy teams from south India (Kerala and
Karnataka). 20 players each will be selected from both teams
STATISTICAL TECHNIQUES
Descriptive profile and factor structure was used for the
statistical analysis

8. DISCUSSIONS OF FINDINGS
Comparative Analysis
While considering the mean comparison value of sports
Imagery ability of Santosh Trophy football players the Mastery
ability is the highest mean score compare to other Sports
Imagery variables because the skill level and its imagination
and visualization is very high-level compare to other sports
imagery variables. The Mental Toughness of Santosh Trophy
football players, the Motivational factors was the highest
mean score compare to other Mental Toughness variables
because the motivational factors are lead the players to their
highest level of achievement

9. Mean comparison of sports Imagery
variables of football players
Skill
ability
Strategy
ability
Goal
ability
Affect
ability
Mastery
ability
2.85 2.75 2.35 2.65 3.53

10. Mean comparison of sports
Imagery varriables of football
players

11. Mean comparison of sports
Imagery variables of football
players
Rebound
ability
Handle
pressure
Concentration Confidence Motivation
4.11 4.08 4.44 4.36 4.70
Mean comparison of mental
toughness variables of football
players

13. Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3
Eigen value 1.31 1.27 1.15
Total Variance. Exp 26.11 25.47 22.97
Cum. Variance .Exp 26.11 51.58 74.55
Skill imagery
ability
0.159 -0.872 -0.161
Strategy imagery
ability
-0.013 0.019 0.925
Goal imagery
ability
-0.733 0.170 0.191
Affect imagery
ability
0.703 0.200 0.368
Mastery imagery
ability
0.499 0.666 -0.309

14. While considering the factor analysis of sports imagery ability
variables of south Indian Santhosh trophy players goal
imagery ability and affect imagery ability. The goal factor and
affect imagery ability were heavily loaded items because the
goal setting and influencing behavior of players during the
training and competition is very high level compare to other
south Indian states. The skill and its mastery of players factors
both team applied occasionally depend upon the rival team.
The strategy factor coaches applied according to the situation
in the crucial match and succeed.

15. Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3
Eigen value 2.421 1.258 1.167
Total Variance. Exp 30.260 15.722 14.590
Cum. Variance .Exp 30.260 45.982 60.572
Rebound ability
0.851 -0.205 0.033
Ability to handle
Pressure -0.687 -0.199 0.160
Concentration ability
-0.086 -0.007 0.985
Level of Confidence
-0.311 0.793 -0.061
Motivation
0.287 0.730 0.035

16. The Mental toughness variables of south Indian Santhosh
trophy teams were very high level in rebound ability and
ability to handle pressure because the mental support of
coaches and teammates. The coaches applied various
strategies and team line up according to the level of opposite
team. The level of confidence and motivational factors in
between the players and supporting staff of both team leads
the highest achievement in league rounds and final rounds in
the tournament. The concentration factor is mainly depending
upon the strict time table of coaches and assistant coaches in
outside the field. That leads the team in well planned
preparation for the each and every matches.

17. Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3
Eigen value 1.80 1.61 1.39
Total Variance. Exp 17.95 16.05 13.86
Cum. Variance .Exp 17.95 34.00 47.86
Skill imagery ability -0.089 -0.415 -0.618
Strategy imagery ability -0.21 -0.106 0.689
Goal imagery ability 0.60 -0.129 0.306
Affect imagery ability -0.393 0.614 0.058
Mastery imagery ability 0.08 0.78 -0.187
Rebound ability -0.765 0.157 0.155
Ability to handle Pressure
0.466 0.07 -0.183
Concentration ability 0.116 -0.183 0.524
Level of Confidence 0.637 0.226 0.252
Motivation 0.058 0.552 -0.025

18. While considering the both sports imagery and mental
toughness the south Indian players shows the goal imagery
ability, rebound ability and level of confidence because the
visualization of the players based on their goal setting with
the confidence. The coaching camps and various training
especially the psychological factors both team shows the
confidence and proper preparations. The influence of
experienced players is more effect to the young players for
their skill and mastery during the training situations.

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20. Thank you